RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – A community in Kichwamba Sub-county is reeling in shock after a long-standing land dispute culminated in a brutal murder-suicide on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, leaving a couple dead and their 13 children orphaned.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The incident, which unfolded in Rumuri I and Rumuri II villages, involved Niwajira Amidu, 55, who allegedly hacked his wife, Asiimwe Madina, 50, to death before drowning himself in Lake Rwizongo.
According to witness accounts, the tragedy occurred when Niwajira stormed the family plantation and launched a vicious panga attack on his wife, Asiimwe, as she harvested coffee.
Following the brutal assault, which witnesses described as horrifying, Niwajira fled the scene and drowned in Lake Rwizongo, with his body being recovered later.
The couple’s conflict, confirmed by local authorities and neighbours, stemmed from Niwajira’s pressure to sell land Asiimwe had inherited, which she refused, wanting instead to preserve it for their children.
The situation escalated dramatically about two months ago when Asiimwe formalised her decision to keep the land solely for the children’s future, a move that reportedly deepened the rift and is believed to have been the immediate trigger for the violence.
Hon. Mugizi Bernard, the Councillor for Rumuri Parish, strongly condemned the act as shameful and heartbreaking, reiterating that leaders consistently advise using legal means and guidance to solve disputes, as violence is never the answer.
Similarly, Patrick Beyendeza, the local LC I chairperson, said leaders had tried to mediate the long-standing family conflict and expressed sorrow that it ended in death.
“This family has struggled with domestic conflict for a long time. As leaders, we tried to mediate, but tensions persisted. We call upon families to resolve disputes peacefully instead of resorting to violence,” Beyendeza stated.
Bishop Vicent Tukundane condemned the murder-suicide, warning that hatred and unforgiveness are poisoning society and urging the community to embrace forgiveness and divine guidance instead of violence.
“Our society is being poisoned by hatred and unforgiveness; families no longer embrace dialogue, and this act has brought shame to our district. People must learn to forgive and rely on God to solve disputes instead of turning to violence,” Bishop Tukundane said.
He added that the tragedy should stand as a stark warning about the devastating consequences of violence, which breaks families, orphans children, and traumatizes entire communities.
The Officer-in-Charge of Kichwamba Police Station, Julius Masereka, confirmed that investigations have commenced and urged the public to refrain from violence and cooperate with authorities.
The body of Asiimwe Madina has been taken to Rugazi Health Center IV for a postmortem before release to the family, while police have concluded the recovery of the suspect’s body from the lake.
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